Special locking lug bolt
 

People must be stupid to buy 4 special locking lug bolts and install them one in each wheel.

Those dummies never thought that -- such bolt will throw the wheel off balance?

Why? Because none of the locking lug bolt or nut manufacturers guarantees that these things match exact weight and profile of the original bolts/nuts.


If I were ever concerned about people stealing my expensive wheels, I WILL BUY 20 LUG BOLTS OR NUTS. This will keep my wheels balanced.

Buying only 4 is just plain dumb. And I don't know how many people I have insulted by writing this post. Hehe.

RE: Special locking lug bolt
 

Interesting point. However, I've had a few factory-installed locking lugs and never had a wheel balancing problem. Maybe the weight is better distributed on factory installations? I've also used aftermarket ones and didn't have a problem with those either for some reason. I suppose if you did, you could get the wheels balanced while they're mounted on the car.

RE: Special locking lug bolt
 

I think the issue doesn't exist. I am using pressure monitoring steam, that adds 1 oz sensor on the tire valve.
Never noticed the 1 oz on big radius making any vibration and I drive fast.
Than my VW come with factory 4 locking lugs. I assume they new what they do?

RE: Special locking lug bolt
 

adding pressure sensing stem b4 balancing the wheel is ok, i guess.

but, technically...any change in weight distribution of the wheel after it is balanced IS BAD.

and...btw, there is such thing as balancing the tire right on the car? that would be neat.

i know honda's rotors dont come out nicely, so they have a machine that comes to the car to turn/resurface the rotor.

RE: Special locking lug bolt
 

Again, 1 oz on the rim doesn't seem to affect balance enough to make a problem.
If you are so picky, did you make seasonal change of the tires air?

RE: Special locking lug bolt
 

No. I just made it up.

Actually, yes. There is such a thing. Not every shop has the equipment, but every city has a shop that does. If you want it done, call around.

RE: Special locking lug bolt
 

Big tires shops do the balancing on the vehicle very often. Maybe not exactly for better results, but for the convenience of not removing and carrying 250 lb wheel.

RE: Special locking lug bolt
 

BTW I am using Centamatic wheel balancer on my motorhome with good results. This is a disk, similar to dust shield with weights moving on the rim. Truckers know the trick with golf balls inside the tire for years and now you can buy balancing powder, that can be injected thru the valve.
Haven't seen this stuff used on passenger cars, but the time is coming.

RE: Special locking lug bolt
 

You do, indeed, get better results by balancing the tire on the car. If you want to pick nits, then it's true to say that the wheel doesn't get balanced any better. But balancing on the car balances the entire rotating assemblies of each corner. In essence, you get better balancing.

RE: Special locking lug bolt
 

i thought we all are nit-pickers here? :D

otherwise we all drive a camry and be trouble-free. [8D]